Abstract: The present invention provides batteries with low cost, excellent in high rate discharge characteristics (high power characteristics) and high reliability. For example, the present invention provides Ni/MH batteries with low cost, excellent in high rate discharge characteristics (high power characteristics) and high reliability. The batteries of the present invention are obtained by applying the conductive electrode substrate obtained by the following method to a positive electrode and/or a negative electrode and by combining these electrodes with a separator which is much thinner than conventional separators. The conductive electrode substrate which is made three dimensional is obtained by forming innumerable bridge structural portions on both sides of a nickel foil, having no burr on the apparent surface of said three dimensional substrate. The same type of substrate made of Al and Cu foil are applicable for a Li secondary battery system positive and negative electrodes, respectively.

Abstract: In the paste type nickel positive electrode prepared by filling pores of a metal nickel plaque made of three-dimensional high porous sheet, or coating both sides or one side of a plaque made of either perforated nickel sheet or nickel plated steel sheet, with a paste type active material mainly composed of nickel hydroxide, by adding particles of cobalt hydroxide having the specific surface area of at least 10 m.sup.2 /g, average particle size of 1.7 microns or more, and content of fine particles with particle size of 1.0 micron or less of 20% or less, the utilization of positive electrode active material is enhanced, and by using this nickel positive electrode, the alkaline rechargeable battery, in particular, the nickel-metal hydride alkaline battery is enhanced in capacity and extended in service life.

Abstract: A method for making a separator material which is useful as a separator for storage batteries. The method involves applying a sulfonated surface layer to polyolefin resin fibers which form a woven or non-woven fabric. According to one embodiment, polyolefin resin fibers made of a first polyolefin resin are coated with a surface layer of a second polyolefin resin which is more susceptible to sulfonation than the first polyolefin resin from which said fibers are made. At the stage when the polyolefin fibers are coated with the second polyolefin resin they may be either individual fibers or formed into a woven or non-woven fabric. Thereafter, the fibers are subjected to a sulfonation process until the surface layer is sulfonated and a decomposition product formed by the sulfonation process is then removed from the fibers to obtain a separator material.

Abstract: Separator materials which are adapted for use in storage batteries and which comprise a fabric sheet of polyolefin resin fibers and a surface layer of a polyolefin resin sulfonated to such an extent that sulfone groups are formed in an amount sufficient to impart an appropriate degree of hydrophilicity. The surface layer is formed on individual resin fibers. The methods of making the separator material are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improvement of a hydrogen absorbing alloy to be used as a negative electrode of an alkaline storage battery. The hydrogen absorbing alloy capable of electrochemically absorbing/desorbing hydrogen has a CaCu.sub.5 type crystal structure and is represented by the general formula of A.sub.1-x B.sub.x C.sub.y D.sub.z, in which formula: D is selected from the group consisting of V, In, Tl, Ga and mixtures thereof; the atomic ratio z has a value within the range made up as follows, 0.02.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.0.3 for V, 0.02.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.0.1 for In, 0.02.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.0.1 for Tl, and 0.02.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.0.1 for Ga; and the atomic ratio (y+z) has a value within the range of from 4.7 to 5.3.

Abstract: An improved method of fabricating electrodes used in nickel-cadmium storage batteries, etc. A pasty mixture is sprayed from both sides onto a porous metal body having three-dimensional communicating spaces so as to fill the pasty mixture, which has been previously prepared, into the spaces of the porous metal body with good reproducibility. The amount of active material filled into the spaces can be easily controlled. Thus, electrodes having a desired capacity can be mass-produced.